10 New Body-Positive Plus-Size Models to Follow Now
I am so excited to be on the forefront of the recent body-positive revolution. As a plus-size woman, I’ve constantly battled with feeling “less than” because of my size, and growing up with a lack of diverse body types represented in the media, it was easy to feel different. It wasn’t until my second year of college that I realized hating my body took up too much time, and life was too short to make myself sick over things like stretch marks.
I am happy to report that we are currently living in a new era where the media is beginning to celebrate our differences. High-end fashion designer Prabal Gurung is collaborating with mass retailer Lane Bryant, L’Oréal featured beloved plus-size models Marquita Pring and Sabina Karlsson in its latest True Match beauty campaign, and there were a total of 27 plus-size models who walked the runways during the latest New York Fashion Week.
Now that leading ladies like Ashley Graham, Tess Holliday, and Iskra Lawrence have won over mass audiences, this new plus-size model gang is all about using their social media platform and model swagger to show women around the world that we should love ourselves regardless of our so-called imperfections.
From the curvy women who are currently dominating our screens to the industry up-and-comers, I have compiled 10 plus-size models changing the game to follow now on Instagram!
For more style inspiration, follow me on Instagram and check out my blog.
Barbie Ferreira
Instagram: @barbienox
Agency: Wilhelmina
This free-spirited California native has been featured in the pages of magazines like Cosmopolitan and Elle. Her confidence is infectious, and she can be seen in the latest Urban Outfitters campaign and the #thisbody launch with Prabal Gurung for Lane Bryant. She is also part of the @allwomanproject, helping all females feel represented.
Sabina Karlsson
Instagram: @thesabinakarlsson
Agency: JAG Models
The freckled Swedish sensation is a breath of fresh air for the industry and is about to be a household name. She has already scored the cover of Glamour magazine since coming to the U.S., and she walked in NYFW runway shows like Chromat and Christian Siriano the last two seasons.
Diana Veras
Instagram: @mynamesdiana
Agency: JAG Models
Diana is one to speak her mind and is not afraid to show off a stretch mark or two while she mesmerizes with her contagious smile. She has already debuted in the Calvin Klein #mybody campaign and can be found in the pages of Teen Vogue and Glamour.
Felicity Hayward
Instagram: @felicityhaywardcurvemodel
Agency: Milk
Newly transplanted from London, the body-positive model has worked with iconic photographers like Patrick Demarchelier and scored a feature editorial in the January 2017 edition of Glamour with the likes of Teyana Taylor. As a body-positive advocate in the industry, Felicity recently started the @selflovebringsbeauty movement to help show the beauty in our differences.
Denise Bidot
Instagram: @denisebidot
Agency: Muse
Denise is a model and founder of the #nowrongway (to be a woman) campaign, which addresses the beauty of our differences and advises women to love themselves. She has walked the runway for Chromat and been featured in major unretouched photo campaigns for Lane Bryant and, most recently, Khloe Kardashian’s Good American Jeans.
Jordyn Woods
Instagram: @jordynwoods
Agency: Wilhelmina
This curvy model uses her platform to show off her curves and normalize different body types in fashion. Did I mention she just modeled for her bestie Kylie Jenner’s site? Since getting signed she has launched her own capsule collection with Boohoo and is the new face of Lovesick clothing.
Precious Lee
Instagram: @preciousleexoxo
Agency: IMG
You may recognize her from the Christian Siriano Fall 2017 catwalk or her countless Lane Bryant #thisbody campaigns. She is all about women loving their curves and spreading that message around the world.
Dounia Tazi
Instagram: @dounia
This young, outspoken social media star and model addresses everything from loving your body to social justice. Featured by the likes of Forever 21 and InStyle magazine, Dounia is trying her hand at music and recently released a single called “East Coat Hiding.”
Philomena Kwao
Instagram: @philomenakwao
Agency: JAG Models
Seen in campaigns from household fashion brands like Lane Bryant, Old Navy, and Torrid, Philomena is a humanitarian who constantly uses her platform as a model to advocate for body diversity and much more.
Lulu Bonfils
Instagram: @Louisvuittoncrocs
Agency: Wilhelmina
The 17-year-old is wise beyond her years and has already appeared in the high fashion pages of Elle. This blond beauty just appeared in the #loveissue of Teen Vogue magazine offering her words of positive thinking and self-love.
